I think we can all agree that there is a lot going on in the news right now and it is a bit difficult to keep up! Today’s lunch break provides a compiled list of trending news and stories that will most benefit your day–to–day work life. So, enjoy that grande pumpkin spice latte and stay informed on news you may have missed last week while on your well-deserved break.
Instagram Expands Shopping
Instagram announced a global expansion of its Instagram Shopping service across IGTV. The product offers creators and influencers a way to more directly monetize their user base on Instagram, while also giving brands a way to sell merchandise to their followers. Instagram said it would also soon begin testing shopping within its newer feature and TikTok rival, Reels. Instagram users can view products and make purchases across IGTV, Instagram Live and Stories.
On IGTV, users can either complete the purchase via the in-app checkout or they can visit the seller’s website to buy. However, the expectation is that many shoppers will choose to pay for their items without leaving the app, for convenience’s sake.
This is definitely an opportunity for brands to expand their sales reach and utilize Instagram in a new way.
Facebook to Limit Political Ads Week Before Election
Facebook Inc. will prohibit new political advertisements in the week before the U.S. presidential election in November and seek to flag any candidates’ premature claims of victory, Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg said in a statement Thursday. These steps are meant to head off last-minute misinformation campaigns and limit the potential for civil unrest, Mr. Zuckerberg wrote.
“This election is not going to be business as usual,” he said, noting both the difficulties of voting during a pandemic and likely attacks on the credibility of the results.
“I’m worried that with our nation so divided and election results potentially taking days or even weeks to be finalized, there could be an increased risk of civil unrest across the country,” he said, adding that “our democracy is strong enough to withstand this challenge and deliver a free and fair election.”
Get the Glitter Confetti – Esty Keeps Winning
The online marketplace for handmade, vintage and other creative goods, which joined the S&P 500 Index last month, is the best-performing stock in that group year to date. Like many of its e-commerce-focused peers, Etsy benefited earlier this year when brick-and-mortar retailers were forced to close, sending droves of shoppers online due to the global pandemic.
Spending has remained strong on Etsy as consumers continue to avoid physical stores over safety concerns, helping fuel its 146% increase in gross merchandise sales in the second quarter. The company attributed its sales growth in part to the whopping 12 million new shoppers that came to its marketplace during that period. For context, mega-retailer Macy’s Inc. said it acquired 4 million new online customers in the second quarter. While mega-stores are efficient places to knock out errands, Etsy stands out as an appealing digital destination for those who take pleasure in browsing and shopping for the sport of it.
Networking in the age of COVID-19
Meeting people during the pandemic is hard enough, so growing your network — especially in the beginning of your career — seems especially tricky right now. Today.com’s column TMRW, reached out to networking experts not only to get tips on how to navigate these uncharted times, but also to gain insight into tried-and-true strategies that work all the time. To read more, visit: https://www.today.com/tmrw/how-network-age-covid-19-t191325
